Present at OLC Innovate 2025
The call for proposals is now closed.
The call for proposals is now closed.
TIMELINE | TRACKS | SESSION TYPES | FAQ
Now is the time to share your innovative ideas with your global network of colleagues, your community, and those who inspire and seek inspiration. The Online Learning Consortium and MERLOT invite you to submit a presentation proposal for the OLC Innovate 2025 conference (April 1-4, 2025, Nashville, TN).
We’re looking for proposals that reflect and showcase our vibrant community of practice — promoting theory, research, methodology, and/or applied effective teaching and learning practices in online, blended, and digital learning environments. After last year’s successful addition to the Innovate program, we once again have included Engagement Program proposals in our Call for Proposals.
Please note, proposals for Innovate 2025 are currently being accepted for onsite sessions in Nashville. There will be no virtual program associated with the conference this spring. We recognize the value and accessibility of virtual participation and we are exploring virtual options throughout OLC’s programming to add in 2025. As an organization dedicated to high-quality online, blended and digital learning, we will continue to incorporate virtual training and events throughout the year to ensure that those who cannot attend our conferences in person continue to have access to virtual learning modalities.
All individuals (presenters, co-presenters, and authors) submitted on a conference proposal must have a current OLC account with name, title, and institution. Before you start, please check your OLC User Account to make sure you have added your bio there. Once you start your submission, your bio will auto populate when your add your OLC user account email address to the submission. You will also be provided the opportunity to add a photo (optional but strongly recommended). When submitting the proposal, you will select your co-presenters by using their OLC user account email addresses. The system will only allow you to select individuals who have an OLC account with name, title, and institution information included. If you or your colleagues do not have an account, or if you need to update your information, visit OLC user account – a community membership is free.
To make the submission process quick and easy, be sure to collect all the necessary proposal information in advance using the template provided (Proposal Planning Template) so you can easily cut and paste information into your submission form. The template will also guide you through the information you will need to obtain from your collaborators (including email addresses) before submitting your proposal.
We’ve put together a series of documents to help you prepare your presentation proposal:
Please review the track titles, descriptions, and example topics to find where your ideas, research, demonstrations, or conversations might fit best within the program. Please note that all submissions to the tracks listed below must have at least one academically-affiliated presenter (higher ed or K12) listed.
Pioneering Tools and Approaches for Transformative Digital Learning
This track explores the cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of online, blended, and classroom education. It invites educators to share novel methods, tools, and insights that can enhance student engagement, personalize instruction, and foster creative learning environments.
Topics for submission might include:
Shaping Lifelong Learning Paths for Success in a Dynamic Work Landscape
This track delves into the innovative approaches and technologies that connect education with career success, focusing on lifelong learning, upskilling, and credentialing. It encourages dialogue on experiential workforce development, competency-based education (CBE), and collaborations with industry and professional organizations to prepare learners for a constantly evolving work environment.
Topics for submission might include:
Inclusive Leadership for Strategic Transformation in Online and Blended Learning
This track emphasizes a broad and inclusive definition of leadership that engages diverse stakeholders in building a foundation for institutional success. It spotlights strategies, practices, and partnerships that align with institutional goals, foster innovation, and promote equity and inclusion in online and blended learning environments.
Topics for submission might include:
Shaping the future of education through innovative design, inclusive pedagogies, open resources, and digital empowerment.
This track invites proposals that explore cutting-edge approaches to learning design, curriculum development, and teaching in online and blended environments. From pioneering methodologies to open education initiatives, this track embraces inclusivity, collaboration, engagement, and the pursuit of digital literacies. We welcome educators, designers, and facilitators dedicated to enhancing the learning experience through creativity, equity, and strategic integration.
Topics for submission might include:
Nurturing and Empowering the Digital Learner’s Journey
This track focuses on the innovative ways in which student success and support can be elevated in today’s digital learning environment. It emphasizes services and practices that guide students throughout their entire educational journey, particularly in online and blended contexts.
Topics for submission might include:
Different topics need different presentation affordances. This list describes our session types, their key features, and what you can expect from them either as a presenter or an attendee. As you craft your proposal, explore which option works best for you and your audience.
Attendees should expect to be actively involved in discussions and activities during Conversations, Not Presentations. This means participating in question and answer sessions, potential group work, and interactive activities.
These 45-minute facilitated Conversation, Not Presentations sessions should propose an issue, challenge, or idea pertinent to the track description to discuss with participants. This session type should be highly interactive, with discussion, activities, and participant engagement. Presenters organize the conversation around a few key points to facilitate discussion, and the audience explores a presented topic, solves a dilemma, or otherwise contributes to meeting a challenge. Your proposal should include the conversation topic and engaging questions for discussion.
Note: These presentations will be “slide-free” or single-slide proposals (a small set of introductory slides to set the tone and expectations for the conversations is fine). Be sure to make a plan for assistive technology or accommodations for those who rely on slide decks (handouts, interactive activities, conversations, etc.).
Attendees should expect to be actively involved during a Design Sprint. This means participating in question and answer sessions, group work, and interactive activities.
These 45-minute sprint sessions provide a dynamic and immersive experience for attendees..
Presenters are invited to propose collaborative sessions that tackle specific challenges or explore innovative pedagogical strategies, technological tools, research methods, industry innovations, or leadership approaches. The goal is for participants to gain practical insights and skills they can implement immediately, regardless of their experience level.
Key Features:
Presenters should be prepared to actively engage with attendees, facilitating discussions, guiding group work, and leading interactive activities. A collaborative and open-minded approach will help ensure a rich and rewarding experience for all participants.
Discovery Sessions allow presenters to share their work, ideas, and innovations in a more personal format. Using a laptop, these sessions allow for a greater exchange of ideas and in-depth conversations about important topics to the OLC community. These digital presentations can include works in progress, research ideas, collaboration opportunities, best practices and practical applications, or pilot projects.
Note: Each presenter must bring their own laptop. An LCD monitor, a small table for your laptop, and power to the table will be provided. Wireless internet will also be available to allow for further exploration of related Discovery Session content.
Key Features:
Attendees should expect to listen to presenter-driven talks before having group discussions during Education Sessions.
Education Sessions provide an opportunity for presenters to share their work, innovations, or new opportunities with the OLC community. The presenters are responsible for driving the conversation and encouraging deep thinking about a topic, sharing practical applications of their work, or providing new and varying perspectives. There are two primary formats for this session type: presentations and panel sessions. Although these are more traditional formats, the presenters/panelists should strive to make the sessions as engaging as possible through polls, audience discussions, and other forms of interaction.
Key Features:
Note: With education sessions, there is a strong preference for proposals that include unique strategies for engaging the audience.
Your engagement activity proposal should breathe life into the spaces between our scheduled events (i.e. during networking breaks, lunches, evening events). Whether it’s an early morning mindfulness session, an engaging activity during the breaks between concurrent session blocks, or a lively evening social, we’re seeking proposals that break the mold. Think unconventional: networking games and icebreakers, quick design sprints, meditation sessions—all are welcome here. If you’re considering an activity that feels like it could be a presentation at your standard educational conference, it’s probably a better fit for our regular academic proposal and not an engagement session. Ultimately, your session should be a catalyst for conversation, collaboration, and community-building in a format that sits outside of the standard presentation format.
We are particularly interested in proposals for activities that showcase innovative methods for building connections, fostering meaningful collaborations, and encouraging participants to interact beyond attending sessions at the conference. Whether you have successfully implemented unique icebreakers, utilizing cutting-edge technologies to enhance networking, or have a love of playing games, you are what we are looking for! The ideal engagement session should feature an activity that serves as a platform for forging lasting connections and promoting a sense of camaraderie among our diverse community of online learning professionals. We invite you to bring your creativity, expertise, and passion for fostering connections. At the end of your extended abstract, please include details on room set-up and supplies needed for your proposed activity.
Key Features:
Proposals may include works in progress or completed research results. Graduate Student Discovery Sessions provide an excellent opportunity to present your ideas to your peers in a community forum.
We seek submissions by students currently enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a graduate (Master or Doctoral) program whose research is relevant to online, blended or digital teaching and learning. The proposal submission must follow the guidelines of the OLC Innovate 2025 conference sessions. Those presenting as a graduate student through this CFP process will receive a discounted registration rate of $300 for onsite attendance.
Graduate Student Discovery Sessions allow presenters to share their work, ideas, and innovations in a more personal format. Using a laptop, these sessions allow for a greater exchange of ideas and in-depth conversations about topics important to the OLC community. These digital presentations can include works in progress, research ideas, collaboration opportunities, best practices and practical applications, or pilot projects.
Key Features:
Lightning Sessions are short, 15-minute presentations that offer opportunities for authors to showcase their research and practices in a format that captures audience attention and provides opportunities for reflection. These presentations should focus on a well-developed topic that supports innovation and provides resources for audience takeaway. Proposals for a lightning session must align with the field while compellingly presenting the highlights of their work.
Note: Presenters are responsible for providing all Lightning Session materials. Instructions for uploading materials will be provided to all accepted presenters. Presenters are also responsible for ensuring all attendees can actively engage in the session. Please see the Presenter Services site for resources on making the session fully accessible.
Key Features:
Proposals for this session type should be interactive, 90-minute workshops designed to engage a group of participants in an activity related to one of the conference tracks. Non – traditional, cutting-edge, forward-thinking, interactive workshops are desired. Example topics for Workshops may relate to innovations in design thinking, makerspaces, conducting educational research in online and digital learning, designing experiential online activities and labs, removing barriers to online learning, and other related topics of interest aligned with this year’s tracks.
Workshops should be designed with 2-4 meaningful and measurable participant learning outcomes (LOs) with opportunities explicitly outlined by the presenters showcasing collaborative and/or interactive group activities that will be used during the session to achieve stated learning goals .
Proposals for workshops should clearly address the following questions for reviewers:
Presenters must provide an opportunity for questions, answers, and/or whole or small group discussion within the course of the workshop and must describe how this element will be used to best engage participants. Elements of the workshop may be flipped to extend the amount of time participants can engage with the workshop content. Sessions that offer the opportunity to earn a credential, badge, or certificate are encouraged.
Workshops are offered free to all participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that computers are not provided for this or any session at OLC Innovate; therefore, all sessions are designated as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Each presenter must bring their own laptop/device and must specify in advance what device and/or software requirements (i.e., mobile device or laptop required for participation, required apps for full participation) are expected of participants attending the workshop. The program committee reserves the right to change a workshop’s proposed presentation type if another is deemed more appropriate for engagement and participation given its content.
Competition for workshop slots is highly competitive at Innovate 2025. Please understand that you may be considered for an alternative format session instead of a workshop at the program committee’s discretion.
Our conferences recognize the rich diversity of interests, community groups, and learning formats that contribute to the vibrancy of our educational landscape. In an effort to provide tailored experiences that resonate with individual needs and areas of focus, we have introduced special session designations. These targeted categories allow presenters to align their sessions with specific themes, such as blended learning, or particular community groups like minority serving institutions (MSI), historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), and community colleges. Additionally, they highlight unique formats, such as presentations of findings from empirical research studies. Participants are encouraged to explore these special designations as they submit proposals, allowing for a more personalized and engaging conference experience that speaks to their passions and expertise. Check the appropriate designations that best describe your session as you prepare your submission.
For more detailed information about the conference, please visit the OLC Innovate 2025 webpage. The pages under the Program tab will be updated regularly as information becomes available. If you have any questions that are not addressed on the website, please send an e-mail to conference@onlinelearning-c.org.
All submissions are sent notification emails, regardless of acceptance status. Notifications are sent to all presenters listed on each submission. Please be sure to add the @onlinelearning-c.org domain to your accepted emails filters to ensure you receive these messages. If you do not receive a notification email by December 19, 2025, please contact us at conference@onlinelearning-c.org.
Yes, absolutely! We are always looking for session reviewers, engagement volunteers, and more. Please complete our volunteer opportunities form to indicate your volunteer interests for OLC conferences or other areas within OLC. As a non-profit organization, most conference volunteer positions are filled by paid attendees of the conference who chose to give back to the OLC community through volunteer activities pre-conference and onsite during the conference week.
Yes. All OLC conference proposals are double-blind reviewed by a network of experts in the field of online, blended, and digital learning. This is why we ask that you not include identifiable information such as names and institutions within your submission, to maintain the integrity of the blind review process. We also ask you to complete your conference profiles so that we can match everything up, and get everything coordinated and where it needs to be!
Presentations are evaluated using five major categories:
Yes, all accepted presenters must register and pay the published registration fees for the OLC Innovate conference. Pricing information will be made available on the OLC Innovate 2025 webpage.
Best-in-Track awards are selected by conference attendees, and calculated based on attendee feedback. Each presentation offers attendees the opportunity to provide feedback to speakers. From these responses, we calculate the best-in-track winners from the CFP-accepted, non-sponsored sessions. By putting the Best-in-Track award selections in the hands of attendees, we aim to give you, our community, a larger voice in letting us know what you appreciate and find valuable in regard to programming.
Vendors are allowed to submit proposals for academic sessions. However, in order to be considered for the academic program, an academic co-presenter must be listed as a presenter on the session proposal. The academic co-presenter, along with any vendor presenters, are required to register for the conference, and the academic presenter must take the lead and be the primary presenter for the session. Sessions submitted by vendors for the academic program must be academic in nature and are prohibited from being sales promotions for their product. Vendors who are sponsors are provided a 45-minute Industry Showcase Session (which can be a demonstration or a presentation) as part of their sponsorship package. These sessions are not submitted through the Call for Proposals and instead are submitted via instructions from the OLC Conference Team. These Industry Showcase sessions may be available to exhibitors on a space available basis only.
All sessions have a unique evaluation link in the conference mobile app and on the conference program page. Submitted evaluations are used in the determination of Best-in-Track awards. The OLC values session and conference feedback and uses the evaluations collected as a source for continuous improvement between events. To encourage attendees and presenters to engage in session evaluation practices, we run a prize drawing. In addition to the random drawing for session attendees, presenters are also entered into a separate prize drawing.
No, OLC does not cover any other conference-related expenses for presenters. As a non-profit, OLC is unable to provide assistance for registration, travel, or lodging expenses to presenters. Presenters are responsible for their own registration fees, travel, and lodging expenses, including all taxes and fees on said travel and lodging expenses.
The conference website will have a complete listing of sessions where you may find the date and time assigned for your presentation. After the schedule is published, you may search for your presentation date/time/room assignment. You may search a number of ways – by track, by presentation type, date, etc. – to find your presentation. Click on the link for your presentation and you will see the full description for your session. Please refer to the conference website if you are uncertain about your presentation type or length. It will be listed as part of your presentation description. Be sure to check back frequently as presentation rooms, dates, and times do change. We recommend that you plan to stay through the end of the conference and make your travel arrangements accordingly.
No, only the session owner (who submitted) the session has the ability to see and edit the proposal submission.
The session owner (the person who submitted the proposal) has the ability to edit the proposal until the Call for Proposals closes (October 23, 2024 at 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Time Zone). Once the call for proposals closes, all edits (title, abstracts, presenters, additional authors) must be submitted to the OLC Conference Team at conference@onlinelearning-c.org.